Nanoparticles and organized lipid assemblies: from interaction to design of hybrid soft devices

This contribution reviews the state of art on hybrid soft matter assemblies composed of inorganic nanoparticles (NP) and lamellar or non-lamellar lipid bilayers. After a short outline of the relevant energetic contributions, we address the interaction of NPs with synthetic lamellar bilayers, meant as cell membrane mimics. We then review the design of hybrid nanostructured materials composed of lipid bilayers and some classes of inorganic NPs, with particular emphasis on the effects on the amphiphilic phase diagram and on the additional properties contributed by the NPs. Then, we present the latest developments on the use of lipid bilayers as coating agents for inorganic NPs. Finally, we remark on the main achievements of the last years and our vision for the development of the field.